Earnings (Loss) from Operations
Retail gross earnings were 68.4% of net sales in the third quarter of 2021, compared to 63.6% of net sales in last year’s third quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, retail gross earnings were 66.5% of net sales in 2021, and 63.5% of net sales in 2020.
Selling and administrative expenses for the retail segment consist primarily of freight, advertising expense, employee costs, and rent and occupancy costs. Retail selling and administrative expenses were $2.9 million, or 46% of net sales, in the third quarter of 2021, compared to $5.6 million, or 128% of net sales, in the third quarter of 2020. For the nine months ended September 30, retail selling and administrative expenses were $8.7 million, or 48% of net sales, in 2021, versus $11.9 million, or 93% of net sales, in 2020. Third quarter and year-to-date 2020 expenses included $1.5 million in early lease termination charges, $1.0 million for the impairment of retail store fixed assets, and $0.1 million in employee costs related to restructuring and temporary closures.
The retail segment had operating earnings of $1.4 million for the quarter, up from operating losses totaling $2.8 million in last year’s third quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, retail earnings from operations totaled $3.3 million in 2021, up from operating losses of $3.7 million in 2020. The increases for the quarter and first nine months of 2021 were due to higher sales and lower selling and administrative expenses.
Retail operating earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 outpaced 2019 levels due largely to growth in the Company’s more profitable e-commerce businesses and the shedding of unprofitable stores last year.
Other
The Company’s other businesses include its wholesale and retail operations of Florsheim Australia and Florsheim Europe. Net sales of the Company’s other businesses were $5.3 million in the third quarter of 2021, up from $4.8 million in the third quarter of 2020. The increase was at Florsheim Australia, with sales up in both its wholesale and retail businesses, partially offset by lower sales at Florsheim Europe, as the Company is in the final stages of winding down this business. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, other net sales were $22.7 million, compared to $14.6 million in the same period last year. The year-to-date increase was primarily at Florsheim Australia, with sales up in both its wholesale and retail businesses. Last year’s third quarter and year-to-date sales were down significantly as a result of COVID-related retail shutdowns.
Other net sales for the third quarter of 2021 recovered to 56% of 2019 levels. Business recovery in Australia has been hindered by a large number of Florsheim Australia’s retail stores being closed for a majority of the third quarter due to lockdowns imposed in New South Wales and Victoria. Stores in New South Wales have begun to reopen in October, and it is expected that all of the Company’s stores in Australia will be reopened during the fourth quarter, absent adverse pandemic-related developments. For the year-to-date period, other net sales recovered to 82% of 2019 levels.
Collectively, Florsheim Australia and Florsheim Europe had operating losses totaling $682,000 in the third quarter of 2021, compared to operating losses of $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2020, and operating losses of $1.4 million in 2019. The improvement in 2021 was largely due to improved performance at Florsheim Australia. Last year’s third quarter losses included $2.1 million for the impairment of retail store fixed assets and operating lease right-of-use assets, $1.1 million in employee costs related to restructuring and temporary closures, $0.5 million in reserves for obsolete and slow-moving inventory due to COVID-19-related impacts, and $0.2 million in other related charges, partially offset by $1.1 million of income from government wage and rent subsidies.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Florsheim Australia and Florsheim Europe had operating losses totaling $445,000, compared to operating losses totaling $7.1 million in the same period last year, and operating losses of $2.7 million in 2019. The improvement in 2021 was largely due to improved performance at Florsheim Australia. Last year’s year-to-date losses included $2.1 million for the impairment of retail store fixed assets and operating lease right-of-use assets, $2.0 million in employee costs related to restructuring and temporary closures, $1.6 million in reserves for obsolete and slow moving inventory due to COVID-19-related impacts, and $0.6 million in other related charges, partially offset by $2.5 million of income from government wage and rent subsidies.
Other income and expense
Interest income was $186,000 and $121,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, interest income was $505,000 in 2021 and $408,000 in 2020. Interest expense decreased $6,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the same period of 2020. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, interest expense increased $22,000 compared to the same period last year.